Butterfly populations in several regions have undergone declines in diversity, and in some instances reduction and extinction of populations have occurred. In an attempt to protect and restore the diversity of butterflies and their habitats, conservation programs are being developed and implemented in many natural areas and reserves. Biological monitoring has become increasingly important not only to gauge the effectiveness of these programs but also to determine when it may be necessary to institute them. The primary purpose of this study was to gain basic information on butterfly assemblages that would be useful in developing the use of butterflies as bioindicators. I examined the diversity and seasonal abundance of adult butterflies in seven locations comprising seven habitat types on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in southern Florida; two wet meadows, two pine flatwoods, two ecotones, and a disturbed roadside were studied. One ecotone occurred between a wet meadow and a dry hammock, the other between a pine flatwoods and a wet prairie marsh community. One transect was established in each area and monitored using a modified Pollard Yates method for one year. Vegetation surveys were also conducted along these transects in both the wet and dry seasons. The data collected were analyzed for differences in diversity among habitats and between seasons. Additionally, analysis of potential bioindicator butterfly species was conducted. In total, forty-three butterfly species were found during the one-year study. Overall, butterfly diversity did not differ significantly among habitats or between seasons, although seasonal differences in abundance were apparent. In addition, several butterfly species were found to be potential bioindicators in most of the habitats studied.
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA